Master Gardener course starting
Have you considered becoming a Penn State Extension Master Gardener but don’t know where to begin?
Attend the training session information Virtual Open House at 7 p.m. Thursday to learn more about this exciting opportunity to serve the Butler County community.
Register for the Virtual Open House online at https://extension.psu.edu/master-gardener-training-information-webinar-for-butler-county.
Butler County Master Gardeners are shining examples of the power of volunteerism.
The Butler County program was founded in 1991. Currently, there are 97 Master Gardener volunteers, including 14 Master Gardeners who completed their training program this year. These Master Gardeners completed 4,563 volunteer hours in 2018-19.
During education and community activities, Butler County Master Gardeners had 4,230 adult education contacts and 1,316 youth education contacts. Trained volunteers answered 272 Garden Hotline calls. There were six educational outreach presentations given throughout Butler County and 37 gardening articles published. The eight Butler County demonstration gardens comprise 8,417 square feet of demonstration gardens maintained by volunteers.
The Penn State Extension Master Gardener Program, coordinated by Penn State Extension, provides horticultural training to interested individuals in exchange for a commitment of volunteer time.
A Master Gardener completes a minimum of 40 classroom hours in subjects such as: entomology, botany, soil science, pesticide safety, plant propagation and communication skills. This training is provided by Extension educators from across Pennsylvania. Learn more about being a Master Gardener at https://extension.psu.edu/programs/master-gardener/counties/butler/become-a-master-gardener.
To be considered for the Master Gardener training program, an application and virtual interview are required. The application is found at https://pennstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5hy0eHjyZdfyR2l.
Once accepted into the training program, the Master Gardener apprentice pays a nominal fee of $200 for program materials and manual. A computer or electronic device and reliable internet access are required for participation in the training.
This year’s training is offered virtually and begins Oct. 1 and continues until March. Apprentices are assigned a mentor to help them gain experience in existing projects. All Master Gardeners must complete the required class work, score a passing grade on a written examination administered virtually by Penn State Extension, and fulfil 50 volunteer hours to obtain certification. Many Master Gardeners continue with the volunteer program for years.
Master Gardeners engage in a wide variety of services to the Butler community, such as answering home gardening questions that are phoned into the “Garden Hotline,” maintaining pollinator demonstration gardens, and communicating with the public through newspaper articles and speakers’ bureau. In-person events, such as the Spring Garden Market at Alameda Park, will resume in the future.
Master Gardeners conduct a virtual monthly education and business meeting that supports ongoing continuing education and group problem solving.
The Penn State Extension Master Gardener volunteer program supports the outreach mission of Penn State Extension by utilizing unbiased research-based information to educate the public and our communities on best practices in sustainable horticulture and environmental stewardship. The Penn State Extension Master Gardeners Butler County contribute to the program’s mission throughout the year.
Butler County Master Gardeners can be contacted through the Butler County Extension office at 724-287-4761 or questions along with name, address and telephone number can be submitted to Master Gardener, c/o Penn State Extension, 101 Motor Pool Way, Butler, PA 16001. Email inquiries can be sent to Butlermg@psu.edu.
Diane Dallos is the Master Gardener Coordinator for Penn State Extension Butler County.
